Hysterectomy Support Group

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually done by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total (removing the body and cervix of the uterus) or partial (also called supra-cervical). Although there are conservative alternatives, hysterectomy is performed for uterine fibroids, pelvic pain, pelvic relaxation, heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding, and cancer.

menopausal symptoms after hysto

i'd be interested in hearing other women's experiences of their length of menopause after surgery. i know every woman is different, but it would help to know what others went thru. i tried to look up avg lengths of times after hysto online but couldn't find anything, even a timeline (like 6 months to 2 years, for example).

if anyone has sites that would provide more specific info, *for length of menopausal symptoms WITHOUT SYNTHESIZED OR BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES* that would be helpful too. doesn't seem to be much info out there.

i've heard of any cases of women who had hystos and endured menopausal symptoms for many years after surgery, but they were on prescribed estrogens as well.

right now i'm taking a combo of black cohosh and chaste tree standardized extracts, plus homeopathic combos for sleep and relaxation. they didn't start to work signficantly until between 3-4 weeks of taking them as instructed on the box.

now it's been 3 months since the hysto and i've hardly any symptoms at all, except for a hot flash or two per week, 10 lbs of weight gain (in 3 months), and mild moodiness. this compares to nearly hourly hot flashes, 3-4 sweats daily, daily insomnia, and severe mood issues starting 2 weeks post-hysto.

2 weeks after the surgery, the menopause symptoms did come on rather strong, which is when (thankfully) i was able to get the herbs (including those for relaxation & sleep) and start the natural treatments.

so, thanks for any info regarding your experiences with length of menopausal symptoms. much appreciated!

Hello nikL,
I Won't be of any help to ya, but just wanted to say hi and send ya a hug.. lol
I'm afraid i don't know what the BSO stands for with your surgery so probably didn't have the exact same procedure as you did lol.
I totally understand you wanting to get relief naturally as I will look into that myself if that is what is happening to me,,..
Well take care and hope you get lots of info and advice on here from other women...
Sharon

Ok lol I had everything removed but one ovary... I WANTED my cervix left behind but didn't have the choice as that's the way the surgeon does things I guess....! I had fibroid s as well and a huge cyst on my ovary that was removed... my surgery was July 13th...
What menopause symptoms are you experiencing..., hot flashes.?
Sharon

I had my total abdominal hysterectomy with BSO in Feb.09. I went into menopause right after mine. I am 38 and I am on Premarin .9mg. I am finding it's not enough for me. It worked for a while but it's gotten worse over time. I have hot flashes several times a day. I just hate to go back to my Dr since he's so far away. My Dr did tell me that menopause usually lasts till around your 50's. He told me I would be on Premarin for about 12yrs. till I'm gradually taken off of it at that time. I also tried looking it up before my surgery but I dont think anyone can tell you when you will stop going through menopause since every woman is different. My sister is 45 yrs and she already stopped her periods and is going through menopause now. She's not sure when she will stop but she at least go to go through it naturally...she's lucky...lol. I have heard its a lot worse to be forced into menopause just because everything is taken out all at once and its not gradually changing in your body...I wish you the best luck..even at your age like me its going to be a long road before we get to that stage and it cant come soon enough!!!!...lol...xx Staci

shazz... yeah i did have a lot of hot flashes and mood swings, insomnia too for 2 wks after my hysto it came on strong... then i had to wait 3 weeks for the herbs/homeopathics to work (black cohosh and chaste tree along with boiron quietude homeo blend for sleep). now they are manageable but still present...i can get about my day/nite without the symptoms being too harsh now, whereas before the herbs/homeopathics it was too overwhelming.

i kno every woman is different regarding when menopause will stop, but i was just trying to get ppl's experiences in general. i'm 30 myself and kno age of hysto can affect the length of menopause too. thanks slredma for your 2 cents, much appreciated!

For what it's worth... I had a complete hysterectomy as emergency surgery in Jan 2000 (a fallopian tube was bursting due to fibroids). A couple of days later I noted what was, for me, a drastic change in the condition of the skin on my hands. It had gotten thinner and wrinkled looking, even though I was on Premarin 1.25mg at the time. Since then I gained 40 lbs without changing my diet one bit - actually, I probably eat LESS than I did before and am very careful with my diet. My skin has gotten to look thinner and more 'old' all over. It's also gotten very very dry. My hair (on my head) grows much slower and it's thinner. The doctor then switched me to Elleste Solo 1mg. Actually, the doctor wanted to rip my HRT away from me the day I hit 50 (saying it was time for menopause), but I fought like a tiger, since my gyno said I would need HRT until I was 'at least' 60. My hair has continued to thin - I have not shaved my legs (hairless) in at least 7 years, I have almost no pubic hair or hair beneath my armpits and I have to 'help' my eyebrows with pencil, as they are virtually nonexistant. On the PLUS side, I look 'no less than' (according to hubby) 15 years YOUNGER than other women my age. Did I mention I haven't had to shave my legs in years???? :D

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